Commencement gathering

At the Law School’s May 22 Commencement, Federal Reserve Board Chair Ben Bernanke’s speech to 266 graduates—254 JDs and 12 LL.M.s—provided “a unique personal window into the Fed chairman’s mindset,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Describing the role of serendipity in his own career, Bernanke reflected on “the unpredictability of our individual lives and how one might go about dealing with that reality.” Stay optimistic and be flexible, he advised. “Look most carefully at those options that will give you a chance to learn new things, explore new areas, and grow as a person.” And he reminded graduates of Louis Pasteur’s comment, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” Prior to the 77th Commencement ceremony, Bernanke (center) attended a reception in the Daniel R. Coquillette Rare Book Room of the Law Library along with Coquillette (back to camera), former dean of the Law School and currently the J. Donald Monan, SJ, University Professor.

This feature was posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 and is filed under Featured Photo.